Julia Decker and Sara Lautenbach Join Fresno Lacrosse Staff

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head lacrosse coach Jessica Pausewang announced the hiring of two assistant coaches, Julia Decker and Sara Lautenbach on Tuesday afternoon.

With experience in building a program, Decker comes from Hilbert College where she was the head women's lacrosse coach for a first-year program in 2011-2012. Prior to her year at Hilbert College, she was the assistant women's lacrosse coach at SUNY Geneseo, where she helped lead them to the SUNYAC semifinals in 2010 and 2011.

"I believe that Julia's passion for lacrosse and growing and developing the game will make her an enormous asset to not only our program, but the California lacrosse community," said Pausewang. "Her attacking skill set will fit into what we are trying to grow on from last year's success, and I'm excited for what she has to bring to the team."

Decker played at the College at Brockport from 2005-2009, where her team won the ECAC Championship in 2008 and were finalists in 2007. She finished her college career with 204 goals, second on the college's all-time list, and as the Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.

Lautenbach was a volunteer assistant lacrosse coach at Drexel University this past year, where the team was 2012 CAA Tournament Qualifiers. Prior to coaching at Drexel, Lautenback was the head lacrosse coach at Holy Family University from 2009-2011. In her first year as head coach she improved the team's record from 0-12 to 10-7; setting an NCAA record for the most improved record from a previous season. In 2011 she continued the team's success by making it the CACC Tournament for the second season in a row.

"Sarah has proven that she can take developing programs and turn them into legitimate conference title competitors," said Pausewang. "She will be bringing a strong lacrosse background to this team and I'm thrilled to have her on our staff."

As a player at Old Dominion, Lautenbach started as a midfielder under previous US National Team coach Sue Stahl. She finished her career tied for second in caused turnovers and tied for third on the team in assists and draw controls.

"I am excited for our new staff and this new season to come. We are going to be stronger than last year and continue where we left off at the end of the season with the biggest upset in Division I women's lacrosse," Pausewang said. "I know that this team is determined to leave their mark on this program and this coaching staff couldn't be happier with that mentality."